Washing machine with a rotatable tub and a concentric basket



May 5, 1953 2,637,187

T. R. SMITH WASHING MACHINE WITH A ROTATABLE TUB AND A CONCENTRIC BASKET Filed Aug. 6, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 :Snvcntor T/ZUFZQS/Z @mZ/Z,

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WASHING MACHINE WITH A ROTTABLE TUB AND A CONCENTRIC BASKET Filed Aug. e. 1949 s sheets-sheet s ON-OF F .5WITCH PILOT LIGHT BRAKE 50LENOIU /02 /624 FLOAT swncH TIMER ,160 MoToR HOT FILL CONTFOL VALVES :inventor am www ttornegs Patented May 5, 1953 WASHING MACHINE WITH A ROTATABLE TUB AND A CONCENTRIC BASKET Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Application August 6, 1949, Serial No. 108,992

3 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines and more particularly to washing machines having rotatable tubs of improved construction for centrifugally removing liquid and solid particles therefrom.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a washing machine with an improved rotatable tub of double wall construction which when rotated provides means for centrifugally removing heavy particles of dirt and foreign matter from the lowerportion thereof.

In washing machines having rotatable tubs wherein a washing operation and a centrifugal drying operation takes place there are times, when washing some fabrics, that heavy particles of dirt, sand, etc. will settle out of the fabrics being washed. These particles tend to collect in the bottom of the tub during the washing operation and when the tub is rotated to extract the liquid a portion of the heavy dirt or foreign matter may be forced back into some of the fabrics which, of course, causes the same to be spotted or soiled. Even in installations wherein a space or sediment trap is provided for heavy dirt to settle out of contact with the fabrics be- 'v ing washed, the dirt is not always removed therefrom when the tub is rotated and it may accumulate therein until it eventually clogs the sediment trap. This is especially so in installations where the settling space is not readily accessible for manual cleaning.

Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide a washing machine having a rotatable tub of double wall construction which is provided with a settling space for heavy particles of dirt at the lower portion thereof communicating with an upwardly extending annular enclosed passage for the removal of such dirt from said space centrifugally out of contact with the fabrics when the tub is rotated.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a washing machine with a rotatable tub of double wall construction which is provided with a space at the lower portion thereof for the accumulation of heavy particles of dirt during the washing operation which are removed by causing the washing liquid and heavy dirt particles to flow upwardly between the walls of the tub by centrifugal action when the tub is accelerated.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a sediment zone in a rotatable tub for a washing machine which is self-cleaning.

Other objects, features, capabilities, and advantages are comprehended by the invention as 2 will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial vertical sectional view of a washing machine incorporating a rotatable tub of double wall construction made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a partial enlarged vertical sectional view showing the tub of double wall construction more in detail;

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the rotatable tub construction taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 of the drawings; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of a control for a washing cycle for an automatic washing' machine embodying a tub construction made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing for one form of a combined washing and drying machine, embodying a rotatable tub of double wall construction made in accordance with the present invention, there is shown an outer cabinet 2, secured to a base structure Il having adjustable leg portions 5 for completely enclosing the operating parts of the machine. The base 4 provides a support for an outer stationary tub 6, a support for an inner rotatable tub 8, which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, having an agitator or washing device m disposed therein,y as well as a support for mechanism, generally referred to as I2, for operating the agitator It and rotating the tub 8 in a washing cycle, as will be hereinafter more fully disclosed. The washing machine further includes a control mechanism generally referred to as I4 for automatically controlling certain operations in the washing cycle.

The cabinet 2 has its main body portion, formed with side, front and back panels with a top or cover panel I6 secured thereto to provide a substantially rectangular unitary structure. The top panel I6 is preferably formed with an opening I8 defined by a downwardly and inwardly extending ange 20 to permit access to the inner rotatable tub 8 and is normally closed by a lid 22, preferably formed hollow to enclose the control mechanism I4 and hinged at 23 to the top panel to pivot about a horizontal aXis. In addition, the lid is recessed remote from the hinge 23 to provide a handle or grip 24 which can be readily grasped by the operator to swing the lid into and out of its closed position. vIn this instance, the top panel is further formed with two openings adjacent the front corners thereof, each of which has a control shaft extending upwardly therethrough with a control knob 26 mounted thereon adapted to be grasped by the operator for manipulation. One of the control shafts is adapted to be adjusted for controlling a thermostatically operated mixing valve 2l, and the other is adapted to be manipulated vby the operator for .manually positioning a plurality of cams 23 normally driven by a timer motor 29 through any suitable speed reduction mechanism for automatically controlling the washing cycle, as diagrammatically shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

The outer stationary tub may be supported, in any suitable manner, by a plurality of corner posts 3i] and is preferably formed circular in horizontal cross section, with an upper open end disposed adjacent the lower portion :of the top panel I6 and a lower bottom wall 34 having a drain opening 36 and a centrally disposed -enlarged opening 38 in acentrally located crowned 'portion 3B through which vvertical 'coaxial shaft means extend. The shaft means is in the Aform of an inne-r rotatable shaft 4t and an outer rotatable shaft 42, for supporting and rotating the inner tub 8 and for actuating the 'agitator 1B.

Disposed within and at the upper portion of the stationary tub e and lsecured tothe upper end of the tubular shaft t2 is the rotatable tub il. This tub is preferably circular in horizontal cross section and adapted to receive andlhold the washing liquid and the fabrics to be washed. During the Washing operation vthe tub is held stationary and it is rotated about its vertical axis to remove the liquid therefrom during the drying operation, as will 'be hereinafter more fully described.

The lower portion Aof the rotatable tub 8 is provided with a centrally located eonically shaped hub portion d4 through which va vertically disposed oscillatable shaft 46 extends which is splined or connected 'in any suitable -manner to a hub on the underneath side of the agitator itl. In this manner the shaft 46 and agitator may be oscillated about the vertical axis of the tub to agitate the water and fabrics to be washed. Any suitable sealing means may be utilized -between the hub 44 andthe shaft 45 to provide a fluid-tight joint.

Means for oscillating the agitator l!) are provided by suitable oscillating mechanism genera-lly indicated at 52 which, in this construction, is carried in a gear housing El! disposed at the bottom of and bolted to the rotatable 'tub to increase the mass thereof. This oscillating mechanism is preferably directly operated 'by the inner vertical rotatable shaft 4D which has a driven pulley *56 secured thereto at its lower end, the same lbeing continuously rotated in one direction by a motor Bwhen energized, by means of a belt Ell. The gear housing 54 is further provided `with a downwardly 'projecting hub por- 'tion 62 concentric with the shaft means and rigidly secured to the upper end of the tubular 'shaft 42 by means of pins 54, `while the lower end of the shaft means lla and 42 are mounted in a combined radial and thrust bearing 65 adjacent the lower portion of the base '4. Leakage between the hollow shaft 42 and the stationary tub -E is prevented, where the shaft means 'traverses the tub at the crowned opening 38, by means of a resilient spring biased seal or boot 6B having upper and lower sealing surfaces 'adapted to engage the lower portion of the hub 62 and an upstanding portion on the stationary tub about the opening 38, respectively.

The combined radial and thrust bearing 66 provides the sole support for the rotatable tub 8 which is free to tilt thereabout at which time the upper portion of the tub will move laterally with respect to the opening I8 in the top panel lli. Accordingly, means are provided to maintain the tub in a substantially Vertical position during the washing operation and, although it is not absolutely necessary, it is desirable to have 'the means act to aid in centering the same when the tub .is rotated. In this instance, a plurality of oppositely disposed, preferably four, centering springs 6G disposed at an angle to provide a component of force axially of the shaft means, in addition to the centering action, are connected at one of their ends to the bottom 34 of the stationary tub 6 and the opposite ends are connected lto a damper housing '153 disposed adjacent to and beneath the bottom 34 of the stationary tub S. This damper housing is, also Adisposed concentric with and journalled on the tubular lshaft 42 and moves laterally therewith.

The agitator lll, .disposed within the rotatable tub 8, is formed with a flaring base or Ibody portion 12 extending downwardly and outwardly about the hub M to underlie the clothes, and vhas one or more blades 't4 extending radially upwardly and outwardly from the lower portion of the base 'l2 adapted to agitate the liquid within the tub upon oscillation of the agitator for effecting the washing operation. The :agitator is further provided with a hollow center-post vor pedestal 't5 disposed on the vertical Yaxis of the tub which extends upwardly from the hub above the normal liquid level within the tub. This center post is formed with an .inner compartment or oat chamber 'I8 having an upper open end facing in the direction vof the lid 22 and communieating with the interior of the tub through one or more openings extending radially through the wall of the center post adjacent the bottom of the chamber. A. float 82 is loosely carried in this float chamber to permit longitudinal sliding movement therein in accordance lith the liquid level within the tub and chamber 'J3 for operating the control mechanism I4 with a minimum `of friction.

As previously mentioned, the material introduced into the rotatable tub is subjected to a washing action through the oscillating .action of the agitator and is also subjected to a ccntriffuging action whereby the same .is spin-dried upon the rotation of the tub. In order torapidly rota-te the tub B, suitable clutch mechanism .Bft may be provided for effecting a driving relation between the inner shaft 4B and the outer .shaft 42.

Means are provided in the form of a brake mechanism 86 secured in part to the stationary tub e and to the outer shaft l32 for holding lthe tub 8 stationary during the washing operation and for permitting the rotation of the tub during the spinning operation. The operation of both the brake and clutch is under control of a solenoid 853 (Figure 4) which when deenergized applies the brake and renders the clutch 84 inactive and when energized releases the brake and engages the clutch to connect the inner and outer shafts together to drive the same in unison.

The damper housing TB which provides a support .at least in part for the clutch and brake mechanisms and has the `centering springs connected thereto, is also provided at its lowermost end `with a spherical surface 90 having dampening :material 92 attached thereto which is positioned to engage the crowned portion 39 of the stationary tub 6. This damper is provided to reduce the amplitude of lateral movement of the agitator 8 during the spinning operation.

A clutch, centering means, brake and damper mechanism suitable for effecting the above operation are described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 66,230, filed December 20, 1948, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that said application discloses but one form of such mechanisms suitable for operating the washing machine as herein disclosed and that other suitable types may be utilized.

I-Iot and cold washing liquid or water are supplied from conduits and 93 (Figure 4) to the thermostatically controlled mixing valve 21 which discharges the liquid at the proper temperature into a conduit 94 extending upwardly between the cabinet and the stationary tub, the same being connected at its upper end (not shown) to an inlet spout or nozzle 96 extending laterally through an opening in the upper part of the tub 6 to discharge the washing water into the rotatable tub 8.

The hollow lid 22 housing the control mechanism I4 has its lower wall section formed with an aperture or opening 98 disposed directly above the upper open end in the center post 'I6 and through which a control button |00 on the control mechanism I4 loosely projects.

This control button |00 is preferably secured adjacent one end of a lever |02 which is pivoted at its opposite end to a pin |04 carried by the lower wall section. A bracket |06 is pivotally mounted above the lever on a pivot |08 and provides a support for a pair of mercury control switches ||0 and ||2 of the mercury type whose longitudinal axes are displaced with respect to each other and whose contacts |I4 and IIS are oppositely disposed. This bracket is movable about its pivot |08 by the lever |02 when the same is moved by the float.

The details of construction of the entire switch assembly I4, including an unbalanced safety switch and the operation therefor in an apparatus herein disclosed, is more fully described in the co-pending application of Thomas R. Smith and Dudley P. Combs, Serial No. 64,792, filed December 1l, 1948, now Patent No. 2,612,766, issued October 7, 1952, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

In order to provide a rotatable tub which is capable of expelling a large portion of the Water quickly and at the same time prevent the fabrics from interfering with the centrifuging action the tub 8 is formed or fabricated in two sections to provide an outer tub or receptacle I|8 and an inner tub or container |20. The outer tub or receptacle I I8 is mperforate and substantially cupshaped in Vertical cross-section with its open end facing in the direction opposite of the cover I6 and whose frusto-conical side wall |22 tapers upwardly and outwardly from the imperforate bottom wall |24. This side wall terminates in a top edge above the normal desired liquid level and over which liquid is discharged when the tub is rotated. The lower portion of the Side wall |22 is curved inwardly and merges with the generally horizontal bottom Wall |24 which in turn forms the central hub portion 44 of the receptacle wherein the oscillatable shaft 46 is journalled.

The inner tub |20 is smaller in diameter than the outer tub and is in the form of an open ended basket or container having the portion of its side wall |28 adjacent the side wall |22 of the outer tub and the bottom |30 imperforate and disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation with respect to the side wall I 22 and the bottom |24 of the receptacle IIS to provide an annular space |32 therebetween along the side walls and a space |34 between the bottom walls |24 and |30 to define a sediment space or zone. The bottom wall |30 of the inner tub is curved to merge with the side wall |28 and is preferably tapered downwardly toward the center of the tub and its inner edge |35 is preferably disposed adjacent to or slightly inward from the outer periphery |36 of the agitator base 12. It is to be noted that a liquid conducting passage |38 is provided between the bottom of the basket and base of the agitator and that the agitator is also spaced from the bottom I 24 of the receptacle I 8. In view of the fact that the inner tub is imperforate below the normal liquid level the liquid in the sediment zone |34 and annular space |32 is relatively quiet and when heavy particles of dirt pass or gravtate through the passage |38 into the sediment zone |34 during the washing operation there is little or no tendency for the dirt to flow or work back into the interior of the basket. Also, it is through this passage ythat a relatively large portion of the liquid is These perforations are preferably positioned at the point of the largest diameter of the inner tub |20 and above the top edge |25 of the outer tub IIB so that water being discharged therethrough will not interfere with the water being discharged from the annular space |32 between the inner and outer tubs. In order that the inner and outer tubs may form a unitary structure and rotate in unison they may be secured together in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by screws I42 fitting into recesses |44 in the inner tub and extending into the outer tub. These screws act tc hold the inner tub rigid and at the same time maintain the same in spaced relation with respect to the side and bottom walls I 22 and |24 of the outer tub. The upper porn tion of the inner tub above the discharge openings |40 is imperforate and extends upwardly and inwardly and terminates to define an opening |45 disposed in alignment with the opening i6 in the cover, whereby the operatorI may have access to the interior of the inner tub when the lid is opened.

In this particular construction the upper portion of the inner tub has mounted thereon a hollow toroidal balancing member or ring |46,

basket is agitated rather violently by the agitator l0 to wash or kcleanse the fabrics 4therein. Due to this action vheavy particles of dirt `and other heavy matter will be loosened therefrom and gravitate toward the ybottom of the basket. In view of the contour of the bottom wall it will have a tendency to flow toward the center of the tub and in so doing pass through the passage |38 between the bottom of the agitator and basket and enter and settle on the bottom |24 of the outer tub in the sediment zone |34, wherein the liquid is relatively quiet. Since the passage |38 -is the only connection with this space and no recirculation is provided for, the foreign particles are restricted or retarded in their flow back toward the interior of the inner tub and for the most part will remain therein.

After the washing operation the tub 8 is rotated about its vertical axis to extract the liquid therefrom. As the tub is accelerated centrifugal force moves water up the imperforate side wall `|28 of the inner tub |20 and a portion is discharged through the horizontal openings |40 therein disposed at its largest diameter, while the fabrics move outwardly against the interior side wall of the inner tub. Simultaneously with this action centrifugal force causes a portion of the Water to flow upwardly through the annular space |32 and it is discharged over the top edge |25 of the outer tub H8. Since the lower portion of the side wall and bottom of the inner tub are imperforate it is obvious that the liquid being discharged over the top edge |25 must initially enter the sediment zone |34 through the passage |36 between the outer periphery |36 of the agitator and the innermost edge on the bottom wall of the inner tub. V2in so doing the rotation of the tub produces in effect a centrifugal pumping action through this space and increases the velocity of the liquid entering the sediment zone |34 as it flows outwardly, picks up the foreign particles therein, carries the same upwardly along the annular space |32 provided between the inner and outer tub and discharges the same over the top edge |25 into the stationary tub 6 wherein it is directed to the drain opening 36. During this cleaning of the sediment zone liquid is being discharged through the openings |49, however, in view of the fact they are above the top edge of the outer tub the liquid does not interfere with the flow in the annular passage |32. The speed of rotation of the tub determines the velocity of the liquid flowing through the sediment zone, while the inner edge |35 on the inner tub determines the quantity of liquid discharged therethrough. After this quantity of liquid has been removed from the tub the removal of liquid through the annular space |32 is terminated and all of the remaining liquid still in the tub must flow upwardly along the imperforate side wall of the inner tub and out of the discharge openings |40 provided therein.

By providing an inner tub as shown should any of the heavy particles or dirt remain in the sediment zone after the spinning operation, the tendency for it to be washed back into the interior of the inner tub to thereby soil the next group of fabrics being washed is minimized, because recirculation of liquid through this space is reduced to a minimum.

The operation of an automatic washing machine of the type hereinabove described and incorporating a rotatable tub of double wall construction for removing heavy particles of dirt therefrom vmade in accordance with the invention is as follows:

'The operator opens the lid 22 and then .places the clothes or -fabrics to be washed through the Opening I8 into the interior of the basket |20 including with it the proper quantity of detergent, and the lid is closed. Thereupon the operator decides whether to use hot or warm water for the washing operation and adjusts the temperature control knob 26 to position a movable contact |50 in an electrical lcircuit |52 to either engage the warm water contact |54 in a circuit |56 to lenergize the warm water valve |58, or to engage a hot water contact |60 to energize the hot water valve |62 through a parallel circuit IS4, when the appropriate cam |06 on the timer is advanced to complete the circuit |52 from L1 to L2. For example, if the operator desires hot water, the contact |50 is placed in engagement with the hot water contact |60 and the circuit |52 is conditioned for operation.

vNext the operator grasps the timer control knob 2t and turns the same to the desired washingperiod and closes the main line switch i60 which conditions the timer motor 29 for operation and lights the pilot light |70 to indicate that the washing circuit is energized. Upon turning of the timer control knob, the hot water side of the thermostatically controlled valve 2l' is actuated and conducts water at the proper temperature to the rotatable tub through the inlet nozzle 9G. As the water level in the tub rises above the open ing in the centerpost the water flows therethrough -into the float chamber |'8 to raise the float 32 from its inactive position. After the oat is moved vertically a sumcient distance the top of the float contacts the button |00 on the lever G2 and raises the same about its pivot |04 which in turn tilts the bracket |08 about its pivot |08 to tilt the pair of mercury switches. When the liquid in the tub reaches a predetermined level the mercury switch l2 is actuated so that the mercury bridges the contacts H0 therein to energize the timer motor 29 and main drive motor 58 through circuit |'l2 and the appropriate cams to start the washing action by oscillating the agitator I0 through the oscillating mechanism 52 and to advance the cams 28 intermittently on the timer. Shortly thereafter the switches lli! and H2 are tilted still further by an increase in the water level and the mercury in the switch H0 moves away from the contacts ||4 to deenergize the water supply circuit i 52 and the ow of water to the receptacle through the valve 2l is interrupted, at which time the proper quantity of water for the washing operation has been introduced into the tub 8.

During the washing operation heavy particles of foreign matter and dirt will pass into the sediment zone i3d through the passage |38 between the outer edge of the agitator l0 and the bottom of the inner tub wherein a relatively large portion tends to settle due to the less violent action of the liquid. After a predetermined period of agitation, the timer, advancing the cams 28 completes a circuit |54 which energizes the brake solenoid 80 to release the brake 05 holding the tub from rotary movement and at the same time causes the clutch E4 to directly connect the continuously rotated drive shaft 40 to the hollow rotatable shaft 42 carrying the receptacle to rotate the same, at which time no relative movement takes place between the agitator and tub. Also, the two mercury switches |0 and I2 are cut out of the control circuits by means of the cams on the timer which control the same.

As the tub is accelerated by the motor 58 a portion of the liquid in the annular space |32 is centrifugally discharged from the same by moving up the imperforate side wall of the outer tub and the liquid in the inner tub is moved upwardly by centrifugal force and is discharged through the openings Uitl. At this time a large portion of the liquid flows downwardly about the outer edge |36 of the agitator through the space |38 around the edge |35 of the inner tub and into the sediment zone |34. lDue to the rotation of the tub, a centrifugal pumping action of the washing liquid is eifected in the spaces |32 and |34 and the velocity thereof is increased as the same enters and ows outwardly through the sediment zone L34 whereby the heavy foreign particles are picked up and carried up the annular space |32 along the side wall of the outer tub and discharged over the top edge into the stationary tub 6, wherein the water and the dirt is directed to the drain opening 36.

After a certain amount of liquid is discharged under the agitator as determined by the inner edge on the inner tub the remaining liquid therein is discharged through the openings in the upper portion of the inner tub because the basket is imperforate elsewhere.

At full speed of rotation the major portion of the washing liquid is removed from the fabrics in the tub. During this time a flush rinse of clear, Warm water is admitted to the 'tub through the inlet nozzle 96 through the actuation of the cam controlling the Warm water to complete the circuit |5E through `the warm Water control valve to remove a portion of the remaining soapy washing liquid in the fabrics.

As the timer motor 29 reaches the end of the spin period, the cam for energizing the same is moved to deenergize the timer motor 29 and the drive motor 58 and deenergize the brake solenoid 88 so that it is actuated to apply the brake 86 and release the clutch 84 to stop and hold the tub 8 stationary. Simultaneously with this action the warm water valve is energized again by its cam through its circuit |56 and Warm water is admitted to the tub through the nozzle and upon attaining the proper level therein the switches I0 and I I2 are tilted in a manner identical to that previously described to again actuate the timer and drive motors and to interrupt the supply of liquid to the tub and to initiate the agitate rinse.

The operation of the washing machine during the agitating rinse period is identical to the operation thereof during the washing period, eX- cept it is of shorter duration, after which the cams 2B are advanced to interrupt the agitating rinse period and the tub is again rotated as above described to remove the rinse water from the fabrics being Washed and to discharge the same through the drain opening 36. Also, at the same time a portion of the rinse water is forced about the outer periphery of the agitator into the sediment zone and up the annular space to clean or remove any remaining foreign particles in the zone in an identical manner as previously described.

At the end of the final spin period, as determined by the location of the cams of the timer, the timer motor 29 is deenergized simultaneously with the drive motor 58, the brake solenoid 88 is deenergized to re-apply the brake 86 to the tub 8 to stop the same. During this washing cycle 10 the fabrics have been washed with detergent, rinsed with clear water and have had a large portion of the water removed thereform. The washing operation is now complete, and the operator need only raise the lid and remove the fabrics from the tub.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that a rotatable tub of double wall construction has been provided having imperforate side and bottom walls forming a sediment trap or zone adjacent the lower portion thereof which is utilized to c01- lect particles of heavy foreign matter during the washing operation and an annular space between the wall communicating therewith and through which water is centrifugally discharged to remove the particles of foreign matter from the sediment trap or zone and that this operation provides in effect a self-cleaning sediment zone.

Also, there has been provided a tub construction which minimizes the recirculation of particles of heavy dirt and other foreign matter back into the interior of the inner tub |20 after it enters the sediment zone.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit thereof.

It is claimed:

'1. In a washing machine having a rotatable tub for receiving washing liquid and fabrics to be washed and being provided with an oscillatable agitator disposed in said tub having a part underlying the fabrics to be washed, said tub comprising an imperforate receptacle having an upwardly and outwardly flaring side wall with an upper open end and an open-ended basket having a side wall and a bottom wall, means for securing said receptacle in parallel spaced relation thereto to provide an annular space between said'side wall and a sediment zone at the bottom of said receptacle, said basket having its lower inner open end terminating inwardly in spaced relation to the sidewall and above the bottom wall of said receptacle to provide a continuous peripheral opening adjacent the outer periphery of said agitator providing communication between the interior of said basket and said annular liquid conducting space, said basket being further provided with liquid discharge openings above the upper end of said receptacle and being imperforate elsewhere along its side wall and bottom, whereby when said tub is rotated a portion of the liquid ows around said agitator through the inner peripheral open end of said basket into the sediment zone and up the annular discharge space out of contact with the fabrios, and the remainder is discharged from said basket through said openings in the upper portion of its side wall.

2. In a washing machine having a tub adapted to receive liquid and material to be washed and to be spun to centrifugally extract the liquid from the material, said tub comprising an imperforate receptacle having a bottom and an upwardly and outwardly flaring side wall terminating in an upper edge above the normal liquid level desired in said tub, and a container having a side wall and a bottom wall disposed in parallel spaced relation to the side and bottom wall of said receptacle to provide an annular liquid conducting space therebetween and from the 11 bottom of said receptacle to dene a sediment zone, said container having an upper and lowerv open end with discharge openings in its side wall disposed above the upper edge. of said receptacle and being imperforateI elsewhere, the inner open end of said bottom wall terminating inwardly in spaced relation to the sidewall and bottom. wall of said receptacle to provide a continuous peripheral opening providing direct communication between theinterior of. said container and said annular liquid conducting space so that when said tub is rotated a portion of the.

liquid is centrifugally conducted through the sediment zone to entrain foreign matter thereinv and to conduct the same` upwardly through thev annular space to discharge the same over the top edge of said receptacle out of contact with the fabrics in said container, and means adjacent the upper end of said receptacle for holdingy the side and bottom walls of. said receptacle and container. in parallel spaced relation.

3. In a washing machine having a rotatable tub assembly mounted. for rotation abouta vertical axis and adapted. to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed and being provided with a Washing device having a base portion underlying the fabricsv to be washed, said tub assemblycomprsing anV open-endedV inner tub having a side wall provided with discharge openings inA the upper portion thereofand a bottom wall having a continuous peripheral opening extending inwardly therefrom and being imperforate else- Where, an imperforate outer tub having anv upan annular liquid conducting space between said.

side walls and a sediment zone between said bottom walls, means for securing said inner and outer tubs together in parallel spaced relation to provide a unitary structure, the open end of said bottom wall being disposed in spacedv relation to and extending inwardly of the base portion of said washing device toprovide a liquid conduct ing passage between the interior of said inner tub and said sediment zone, whereby liquid in said tub flows through said passage into said sediment zone and up the annular space out of contact with the fabrics in saidrinner tub when said tub assembly is rotated, and drive means for selectively operating said washingdevice and-for rotating said tub assembly.

THOMAS R. SMITH.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,274,402 Dunham Feb. 24, 1942 2,313,928 Dyer Y Mar. 16, 1943 2,366,236 Clark Jan, 2, 1945 2,375,635 Dyer a May 8, 1945 2,470,140 Castner Mayr 17, 1949 

